June 23, 2025, marks International Women in Engineering Day, a global celebration of the women who are shaping the world through innovation, perseverance, and technical expertise. At Performance, we’re proud to work alongside incredibly talented female engineers whose efforts power safety and mission-critical programs.
While this article highlights the perspectives of a few members from our team, it’s also a tribute to all the women engineers at Performance—from early-career developers to seasoned leaders— whose expertise and dedication are at the core of what we do.
To mark the occasion, we invited a few of them to reflect on their journeys, share personal experiences, and speak about the difference they hope to make through their work.
Why Engineering?
Every journey into engineering starts a little differently. Some are sparked by curiosity, others by opportunity, mentors, or a love of problem-solving.
For Dominika Wilk, a Senior Project Engineer, the path began with curiosity and determination:
“What inspired me to pursue engineering was a curiosity about how things work, along with the determination and perseverance to learn challenging concepts—especially in a field where that effort can be well rewarded. My older brother chose software, and I followed in his footsteps.”
Sandra Avalos-Struck, Sr. Principal Engineer, had a simple interest:
“Not anything in particular—I was just very interested in the idea of designing aircraft, even though I hadn’t actually done that professionally at the time.”
Hallie Schreiner, Tech Fellow, found her entry point in a college brochure and a strong foundation in math and science:
“I chose engineering because I’ve always loved math and science. In high school, I received a letter from a college that explained the different branches of engineering, and they all seemed like a great fit for me. My degree is actually in Electrical Engineering, but software ended up choosing me.”
With few hardware jobs available when she graduated, Hallie began her career in software at Honeywell, working on flight management systems—and has stayed in software ever since.
Projects That Shaped Them—and Moved the Industry Forward
Their careers include meaningful work on systems that support critical programs and technologies. The projects they’ve worked on show how deep technical work translates into real-world outcomes.
Dominika shares her excitement about a current project that blends leadership and technical depth:
“I’m excited to help lead and contribute to a current product development project focused on advanced network server technology for a major tier-1 supplier.”
Sandra recalls pivotal experiences that combine travel and collaboration:
“I’ve had various opportunities to travel abroad and lead onboard flight testing alongside certification authorities, pilots, and engineers. These efforts led to the certification of avionics systems and supported the certification of several aircraft. These experiences gave me invaluable technical knowledge and networking opportunities within the aviation industry, which positively impacted my career.”
For Hallie, the proudest moments are personal and ongoing:
“I love that my career has revolved around avionics. Air travel has played a big role in my life, especially since I moved far from where I grew up. It’s nice to think that the work I’ve done helps make that travel safer and more accessible for others.”
What Drives Their Work at Performance
Their contributions go far beyond the technical. Each woman reflects on the broader meaning and impact of her work, both inside and outside of Performance.
Dominika sees her presence as a signal to others:
“I hope my presence inspires others—that they, too, can become engineers or see themselves in this career. Personally, I feel great satisfaction when my direct work helps my team members understand something faster or be able to work more efficiently.”
Sandra hopes to broaden how organizations see her discipline:
“I hope Performance continues to grow in its understanding of Systems Engineering as a critical discipline—and sees the vast opportunities available to companies that invest in developing this expertise.”
Advice to the Next Generation of Engineers
Drawing from their own experiences, each engineer shares practical advice for women interested in an engineering career.
Dominika encourages persistence and mentorship:
“Don’t give up when you encounter difficult or unfamiliar concepts while learning. If you get stuck, step away to gain a new perspective or fresh insight. Try shadowing others to understand what different engineering roles involve, and consider finding a mentor who can answer your questions and guide you within that role or field.”
Sandra emphasizes the importance of a diverse representation:
“Own the fact that you are a woman engineer. Our perspectives, technical approaches, instincts, and character all benefit the engineering work we do and the teams we are part of. Engineering is better for us—and better because of us—when people from a variety of backgrounds take part in shaping the technology industry.”
Hallie highlights the flexibility and opportunity engineering offers:
“If you enjoy math, science, programming, or problem-solving, then engineering could be a great fit for you! An engineering degree is incredibly versatile—it can lead to careers in design, research, project management, consulting, or even business. Plus, engineers are needed across so many industries, so there are usually plenty of job opportunities available.”
Celebrating our Team
Sandra left us with a final note that sums up what many others echo:
“When engineering work is done in a supportive environment with people who truly value and respect each other, there is no limit for innovation and fun.”
The women featured here represent just a portion of the many talented engineers contributing to our work at Performance. Their experiences reflect the range of perspectives, dedication, and impact that help drive our projects and strengthen our teams. We’re proud to celebrate them—and all the women at Performance—this International Women in Engineering Day.
